When police try to pull over a vehicle and believe that a driver is impaired in some way, that officer or officers may conduct field sobriety tests or other tests to determine whether impairment has played a role in what has occurred. Recently in Tennessee, the police attempted to pull over a vehicle with a female driver. The vehicle ended up in a ditch, and the woman driving now faces drunk driving charges and other charges.
The 30-year-old woman was allegedly speeding and missed a driveway while attempting to stop. Police contend that, as a result of missing the driveway, she ended up in the ditch. This was when police decided to conduct a field sobriety test. The result of that field sobriety test was reported as unsatisfactory. She was then arrested and charged with drunk driving and failure to stay on the road.
The woman is a middle school teacher. It was also discovered that the teacher's 3-year-old daughter was in the car at the time of the incident. The woman was taken to the county jail and then released sometime later on bond. She is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.
The drunk driving charges, in this case, may affect the woman's finances, career and reputation, as arrest records and court hearings are public matters. Any evidence gathered at the scene of an accident or drunk driving arrest may be refuted by the defense, and under certain circumstances, that evidence may even be dismissed. In Tennessee, anyone arrested for a DUI may benefit from having a legal professional review the details of the arrest, along with analyzing any reputed evidence that may work against that person if the charges were to lead to a criminal court case.
Source: stategazette.com, "Northview teacher charged with DUI", Jan. 11, 2015